Listen to Mumbles, installing that gearcase is much easier if you have an assistant. Be very careful with that shift rod connector, the threads get bunged up easily…Painting the beveled area of the shift rod is a great idea to help properly locate the shift rod into the connector. Be sure to lube up the driveshaft splines and make sure the driveshaft oring is in place also….
Improperly located shift rod, or loose connector bolts will result in poor shifting and major gearcase problems that are expensive to repair…
